Envelope sealing machine



5 Sheets-Sheet l April 12, 1938. F, H. MORRISON 'ENVELOPE SEALING MACHINE` Filed June 20, 1935 t ai( i l l I @uw gaa/*ccf SNVNQOL A l BY Mm@ am ATTORNEY April 12, 1938.

F. H. MORRISON ENVELOPE SEALING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 pril 12, i938.

F. H. MORRISON ENVELOPE SEALING MACHINE Filed June 2o, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 12, 1938- H. MORRISON M3338 ENVELOPE SEALING' MACHINE Filedv June 20, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 l I l q ma ATTORNEY April 12, 1938. F. H. MORR|SON y 2,113,738

ENvELoPE SEALING MACHINE Filed June 2o, 1935 5 sheets-sheet 5 Patented Apr. 12, 1938 y UNH-TED ,PATE-NT OFFICE Fitzalan Howard Morrison, Berryville, Va.

Application June 20, 1935, Serial No. y27,549

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in envelope sealing machines, and has for one of its particular objects that of providing a machine of this class having ycertain new and novel features whereby envelopes of various sizes may be placed in the feed end of the machine on an envelope feed `table in large numbers and be caused to pass through the mechanism kofthe machine for sealing `purposes i-n a substantially l automatic manner, the said-envelopes after :being sealed are :automatically delivered to a delivery table, which is ,part of the machine structure, in substantially the ksame relative positions they were in when-placed on the feed table of the machine. 1 I

Another objectuofy the present invention is to provide means whereby the delivered sealed envelopes will be caused to maintain their original 0 upright position on the delivery table -of the ma- 0 chine andv tok be formed in an `orderlypacked row.

Still another lobject of the present invention is to provide means whereby the unsealedor open envelopes may -be fed to the machi-ne'in ynested position with their pasted flap members in a -downward or closed position, the machine having vmeans for opening these flap members previous to the moistening operation, thus `obviating the necessityof opening these flaps before feeding the envelopes to the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and novel means, for introducing a constant pressure to the nested-open envelopes at the feed end -of the machine :for `purposes kof causing the same to maintainra-constant upright position and to 4be conveyed to thefeed-ing elements .of the machine `by aconstant lfollowup feeding pressure of .a predetermined amount. f

Still another important object of :the present invention is to provide new andnovel features for introducing yielding pressure of predetermined amounts to the envelope feeding, conveying and pressure rollers. Y,

Another purpose of the invention is to provide means wherebyv Vthe vmeisten-ing relement lof the machine 3is prevented lfrom becoming clogged up due to the usual accumulation of adhesive after runningeXtensi-vely, together with means in combination therewithfor introducing the pasted flap 'of the 'envelope thereto by predetermined yielding pressure,

Still another object of the .present ,invention is to provide means whereby the 'closed flaps yof .the .envelopes as `originally introduced to 4the feedend .of the machine are lreadily yopened .for t-he purpose of introducing 'moisture to the pasted portion thereof, and `means in combination therewith for readily closing the 'opened 'and moistened flap under pressure, and thence quickly flipping or removing the same .from the path of the envelope delivery and pressure rolls of the machine. This flipping 'or envelope removing operation vbeing in combination with means which cause .the sealed envelopes to be nested in a horizontal row, thus enabling the same to `be readily lpicked up and placed in an automatic stamping machine in anl orderly fashion, without the necessity of reassembling the same for this necessary operation. g

With these an-d other objects in View, the invention consists of certain other new and novel features of construction and combinationof parts as will be specifically 'described in the following specification Aand set forth in the claims.

In` the accompanying drawings I havel illustrated my invention of kan envelope Isealing vmachine in its preferred form the same embodying the various preferred features of the invention.

In the drawings:-

' Figure 1 is `a complete lplan view of my invention of envelope sealing machine, the same in this instance being illustrated with a power or electric motor -drive therefor.

Figure 2 is aside elevation of the same.

`Figure 3 is -an end elevation .of the same illustrating particularly the -feed vend .of the machine and the means for feeding or introducmg the unsealed envelopes to the initial feeding element of the machine, for pur-poses of economy of drawing space the legs `of the machine have been .broken away as shown. l

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevation of that portion of the-machine mechanism whereby the sealed envelopes are :caused to be flipped or` removed -from the path of the lenvelope sealing or presser rolls, the vsame having a portion thereof removed as shown for .economy of drawing space.

Figure `5 isla fragmentaryvplan view, drawn substantially to full scale, illustrating that portion of my machine wherein the pasted flaps of the unsealed envelopes are caused to be opened and ldirected under the moistening roller and thence directed to a closed position. .f

Figure .6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 6--6 of Figure 5 looking in the direction of the arrows, the said view illus- .trating those portions of the machine as set forth .in Figure 5 vof the drawings together with the means for providing a yielding pressure against :the underside of ythe iiap `of the envelope during the moistening operation.

Figure '7 is also a fragmentary sectional vView taken on the line 1--1 of VFigure 5, the said section being as shown somewhat irregular, the mechanism as shown beingin front elevation as to -positionand illustrative Iof the features of my invention particularly as set forth in Figures-5 and 6. Y

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional .View in eleva-tion taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows as indicated, the same illustrating my means for introducing a yielding pressure to the packed unsealed envelopes at the feed end of my machine during the feeding operation.

Figure 9 is a sectional view in elevation taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 1 illustrating the adjustable means for packing the sealed envelopes in an orderly manner at the discharge end of the machine.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line Ill- IB of Figure 1 illustrating the means for hingedly engaging the adjustable feed runway for the envelopes to the fixed table portion of the machine for purposes of preventing the envelopes from being impeded in their travel to the power feed for the same.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals, each of which represents or indicates the same or similar parts throughout the various views, the invention consists of an envelopeY sealing machine I, comprising broadly a feed section 2 for the unsealed envelopes, an envelope flap opening, moistening and closing or sealing section 3, an envelope delivery section 4 for the sealed envelopes, an envelope flipping or removal section 5 and an envelope packing or storage section 6 for accumulating the sealed envelopes in an orderly manner. The said sections being carried on the table structure 1, and having means for power driving the said sections in the form of the electric motor assembly 8.

However it should be fully understood that the present machine may be readily operated by hand power if necessary by replacing the motor member 9 with a suitable hand crank for this purpose.

For purposes of providing means whereby-the unsealed envelopes may be fed to the operating mechanism of the machine in an automatic manner, and with the proper pressure behind the horizontally packed envelopes for purposes of causing the same to remain in an orderly upright position, I have provided my feed section 2 with a hingedly adjustable feed table for carrying large numbers of unsealed envelopes indicated at I0, the same being hingedly engaged to the table structure 'I at II by means of the thin flexible metallic plate member I 2, see particularly Figure 10 of the drawings, the said plate, for purposes of Xedly holding the hinged elements together, may be welded to the table structure at I2, and xedly engaged to the envelope feed table member I0 by screws I3 asshown. For the purpose of adjustably raising and lowering the free end I4 of the feed table to the proper degree of angle or incline to cause the envelopes to be more freely moved towards the power feed zone I'I of the machine, I have provided table adjusting screw members I5, threadedly engaged to the machine table 'I at I6, and as shown particularly in Figure 3, wherein the machine has been slightly broken away at this point for purposes of disclosing this structure. To provide means for holding the hinged end of the feed table I0 to the table structure 1 in a positive manner I have provided the same with the threaded stud and knurled nut members I8 and I9 respectively. See Figure 10 of the drawings. After the desired incline or angle of the feed table has been determined and the table adjusted to this angle the knurled nut member I9 may then be turned up tightly against the underface of the table 'l as shown in Figure l0, thereby tending to pull the hinged end of the feed table down tightly against the upper face of the depressed area 20 of the table 1. This d@- pressed area provides means whereby the feed table I0 may be lowered if necessary to a full horizontal position.

To provide means whereby the packed envelopes placed on the feed table I0 may be kept in proper alignment with respect to one of their sides, together with means for providing a sufcient followup thrust behind the said packed envelopes to cause the same to be continuously moved forward against the power feed belt 2|, I have provided the feed table I 0 with the side wall 22 against which the unsealed envelopes may be aligned as shown particularly in Figure l of the drawings. The said wall in turn has xedly engaged thereto the longitudinal bar or track member 23, the same being bent downwardly at its opposite ends and the said ends being Xed in the sockets 24 and 25 of the wall structure as shown. Movably engaged to and carried by the said wall 22, is my new and novel envelope followup and thrust member 26, the same being in the form of a swinging gate member having its free end 21 weighted as shown at 28 for purposes of increasing the tendency of the gate type of followup member to swing downwardly in the direction of the incline of the feed table member I0. The supported end 29 carries a follower member 30, having a small center structure and enlarged or angularly flared upper and lower portions 3| and 32 respectively. 'I'he said follower 30 engaging the longitudinal bar member 23 on its outer side area as shown particularly in Figure 8, thereby enabling the same to carry the envelope thrust or followup member 26 in a swinging manner. On the back of the followup member 26 and at the lower corner 33 of its supported end29 I have provided and have supported thereon the roller member, the same providing means whereby the followup member may be partly supported as to its weight against the wall 22, and allowed to move in relation thereto with little or no friction at this point. As may be readily seen the general combination of the follower 30, the bar member 23, roller 34, and the extended gate type member 26 together with its Weighted end structure 28, all tend to cause the member 26 as a whole to move downwardly with the incline of the feed table I0, and to also have a tendency to swing inwardly against the envelope pack, thus providing an eiflcient means whereby a constant followup thrust is presented against the packed unsealed envelopes positioned as shown on the feed table I0. For purposes of increasing the tendency of the gate type member to swing downwardly against the packed envelopes the feed table wall 22 is placed at an angle to the direction of movement of the followup member, and thereby place the said member in a constant position of unbalanced weight so that the same will always swing in a downwardly direction regardless of the degree ,of incline of the feed table I0.

The envelope feed zone I1 is provided with means for feeding the unsealed envelopes into the machine by a continuously moving envelope abutment surface in the form of an endless feed belt member 2|, the same being carried on the idler roller 35 and the driven or power roller 36, and properly supported as to its envelope abutment side by the back plate member 31 to prevent the feed belt member from being thrust inwardly due to the pressure of the envelope pack and its feeding means.

As each Vconsecutive envelope of the fed pack comes into contact with the feed belt member 2|,

they are caused to befmove'd for-ward 'to-the rubber faced feed roller 38, which fin fcau'sesithe A4said envelope to S-be fed to the folloWing-for next feed roller means, the samebeing in ztheiorm of a front Vand back or forward-ly and rearwardly positioned lfeed roller members '39 and 4t) respectively. y

dReferring to the rubber-'faced'ieed roller mem- 'ber38, it nwill be noted the same ha-s positioned in opposite relation thereto as to lposition the roller 'member 4-I. This roller has a 'substantial-ly smooth non-friction envelope contacting surface, 42, the esame providing and acting as a retardin'g means for the envelopes 'immediately following lthe one that'i's being fed -into the machine byf'th'e feed 'belt 2l. This roller is vcaused. to rotate 'against the direction `of feed of rthe envelopes thus Vpreventing the said Afollowup envelopes from entering into the machine'proper for the -sealin'g operation vuntil they reach in :proper yorder the feed belt 21, thereby preventing `more than one envelope Vat atim'e `from entering the machine for .the .sealing operation, and vas 4may be readily seen only the envelopewhose forward edge comes into immediate contact with the rubberV Vfaced roller 38 is fed'into the 'machine proper. lit'being understood Ythe direction Aof Ythis roller as to its envelope contacting Ysurf-.ace moves Lin wa direct-ien with Ithe feed .of the envelopes.

"The rubber faced feed rollers 'i3-9 and 40 'move in the direction of the fed envelope las to their contacting peripheral surfaces 4'2, tlrius tending to carry 'the .envelope that has been Jseparated from the packed group 'and Mthat `has been fed thereto by the .feed roller 38,throug-h Vthemoi-stening mechanism or vsection l3 of `"the machine.

As will be noted particularly from Figures 2, and `8 the unsealed envelopes are mtroducedinto 'thesealing mechanism of the machine 'with I'their ,flap Ysides on the bottom, and 'their `respective iiaps are in a closed .or folded -position whenlbeing introduced into the machine proper. It notfbeing necessary to initially open these aps when placling them on the feed table l0, as is's'o often 'found necessary with machines .of the samefclass.

Referring particularly to Figure 7 of theJ'dra-W- ings, Vthe envelope 54'4 'is fed past the `moistening means -45, by the rollers '39 and 4i), in this ,passageo'f the .envelope the hap '43 `is caused tobe -opened Yup by .means of the corner. '4'6 of 'fthe ap opening member 49., passing between the front ,low corner 41 .of the 'flap .and envelope structure, while the .flared or -outwardltr turned pointed 'por- -tion 48 .of the .nap opening member 49 'tends to .hold .the tbody proper 50 o'f the envelope 144 against the'back wall or guide member `Erl This initial opening .o'f 'the iiap is sufficient to 'causeithe .same to be moved downwardly so 'that Ythe same is allowed to pass under the flared arm member v52., which is an integral part of the flap lopening Amember 49. `This arm tends toa'ttenoutthe flap '43 completely lallowing the same to be passed .under 'the ap moistening rotor .member "45, and over .the yielding Ipressure .surface member 54. .As .theenvelope and its moistened hap 43 4leavefthe moistening means., the envelope proper 44 is introduced to the next set of feed rollers 98 and '.56 respectively. which in 'turn cause'the envelope 4to .be passed between the flap closing iiange mem- .ber l5] and the guide wall '51., thence introducing the closed envelope to the .next set of feed rdllers 5.8 .and '.59 respectively, these ro'l'lers ,also act in the capacity of presser rollers, the Vsame being elongated as .to their surfaces that Contact the 'flap area of the closed envelope, thus providing umeans 'for stightly pressing the flap against `the 'envelope body 'forpurpo'ses of properly sealing .thesam'e thereto. L'Ilhese feediamd .presser rolls 'in turn introduce the sealed envelope '-to .the envelope mipper-nr stacking .member 69,1the samebeing in the form of three pointed star `wheels positioned 'one above the other :on afcommon shaft member i822, the '.star Wheels :each .being :in alignment one 'with the other, :so that upon the fast rotation of fthe fipperimemberfas awhole the sealed envelopes will lbe `flipped 'from the path o'f the presser rolls 58 :and 59, -thus providing free and unobstructed rpassa'ge forthefollowin'g envelope 'that .is ejected 01' .thrown from the presser rolls. An envelope yguide '63 iis 'provided to direct the envelopes `as :they leave the presser rolls :towards the `envelope 'ipper member the guide .member being provided with slots "64, `one for :each star Wheel, thus providing means whereby the :points Jonly of 'the star members are 4presented to 'the eiective 'side of the guide member L53, forV purposes of Ypreventing the possi-bility of the ejected envelope vgetting on the `wrong side of the flipping mem- Yber-59 :and being thrown in the wrong direction. Upon vthe envelopes com-ing into contact with 'the rotating points `(l Ithe envelope Vis `caused to be thrown or flipped `against the sliding .abut- `ment for envelopepack supporting 'mem-ber 65, and ibetween the side wall of the table structure .land @the adjustable side guide .member 161 As 'the fseailed envelopes :accumulate through the function of fthe ipper member against the abutment x85, the .same is caused to be moved backward to :accommodate the increasing size of the accumu- Jatingnpack of sealed envelopes. 'Iheaguide mem- '.bers 165 fand i627 'are each respectively `positioned in their respective slots G8 and 89, the abut- -ment fl being positioned in the slot l98 by means o'f the depend-ing portion of the same indicated :particularly in Al'ig-ure 9 lof the drawings at T19. Whereas the adjustable side guide member 61 may be Fheld in fixed position in its respective *.slots by 'means 'o'f lbolt land nut :members as -infd'icated :at "H Land "15|". The .flipper guide memlber 6'3 may `be held infixed :relation .to the .table structurebyfmeans ofthe flan-ge andfscrew `strucltures a's .indicated at 12 and 13.

"The #envelope l-iiipper member 69 ymay be held in fixed relation to Tits respective shaft member T4 by the key 'and keyway structure "I5 together 'with 'the fcollar 'member "i6 .and driven `at `an in- 'creased rate vof speed 4over that of the envelope fee'd :rollers by means of the drive 'gear 'IFI and fthe :driven kpinion "118' carried =on the shaft 7M. 'The drive :gear l?! iis Xedly engaged to :the stud :shaft member T19 which gear in turn vis driven by `-meansiof the :sprocket .and chain members 89 kand 81 respectively, lthe ychain in turn rbeing .driven by the .electric motor i9, through :its respective drive bel-t, pulley tmember :and sprocket .gear 82, 183'and 8'4 respectively. The presser rolls 58 and 59 are ea-ch drivenas-sl'iown iby the sprocket drive chain member 8|., as well as the feed roller members 38, 39,41), and 56. The lenvelope retarding `orseparating roll member 4I together with the .feed .belt drive roller 3S .are .also .driven 4by the sprocket power chain .member 8l. Each of the .above recited members 35 38, 4l., 39, 49, '56, 53 and 5.9 being driven y.by the said power chain through each of their respective sprocket members or gears 84, 85, 86, 81, '88, 89,90 and 9|.

'The respective driven 'rollers and their shaft Iand 'gear Ystructures M, 39, and 158 are each car- .rie'd on 4supporting `cross head structures and vguides'therefor 92, I93, 'and 494 respectively. Each of the said structures being provided with compression coil springs and adjusting screws therefor as indicated at 95, 9B and 91 respectively as shown, the screw members in turn being threadedly engaged to the table structure 1 as shown particularly in Figure 1, thus providing lmeans whereby the said respective driven roller members and their respective cross head supporting structures, are allowed to yieldingly engage the surface of the envelopes, and thereby provide means whereby envelopes of varying thicknesses may readily pass between the respective pairs of rollers referred to. The fact that these rollers are all supported from the bottom and are free as to their top structures provides means whereby envelopes of varying normal heights may be passed through the machine for sealing without inteference thereto due to their heights.

For purposes of providing proper clearance for the envelope flap member 43 after the same has passed through the ap moistening means or zone 3, I have found it necessary to provide a special means of support for the roller member 98. The supporting bracket therefor being positioned at a point out of the path of the flap members as they leave the moistening means or roller member 45. The said bracket being provided as to its upper structure with ways in which is positioned and allowed to reciprocate in a yielding manner the roller supporting cross head member |0|. Positioned at the rear of the cross head and held in engagement thereto as shown is a coil compression spring member |02 and an adjusting screw therefor indicated at |03, the said screw being threadedly engaged to the bracket at |04 to the rearwardly extending portion of the same indicated at |05. The spring member |02 providing means whereby the roller member 98 is allowed to yield to the varying sized envelopes as to their thickness that are fed between the rollers 98 and 56.

Referring particularly to Figure 5, with reference to the flap closing flange member 51, it will be noted the same is adjustably fixed to the table structure 1 by means of the screw members |06, the slots |01 and the flange member |08, as shown. At the point or zone |09 where the moistened envelope is initially introduced to the function of the flap closing member 51 the space between the wall and the. flange member is sufficiently wide to accommodate any envelope of normal thickness. Upon the envelope entering the zone or space |09 the flap portion of the same is beginning to leave the moistening roller 45 in a substantially at and open position, and upon the leading portion ||0 of the flap reaching the flap closing flange member 51 at the moistened ilap is caused to gradually close up, due to the same riding on the upwardly directed edge ||2 of the flange member 51, while the body ||3 of the flange member is in close proximity to the face of the wall 5|, the same causes the flap member to fully close against the body of the envelope due to the envelopes front low corner portion 41 moving along the table surface 4 and thus causing the flap member to be closed against envelope body under a slight wiping pressure sufficient for the purpose in mind. To allow for the yielding of the flange body portion ||3 to accommodate the same to varying thicknesses of envelopes, the same, as may be seen particularly from Figure 7, is connected to the fixed part of the flange member by the narrow throat structure I I 5 at one end thereof whereas the opposite end ||6 is substantiallyvfree as shown.

The flap opening member is in the form of an arm ||1 having a free end I8 and a pivotally xed end H9, the said end being pivotally engaged to the fixed upright |20 as shown, the said upright being threadedly engaged to the table 1 at` |2| and having a lock nut |22. To provide the flap opening arm member ||1 with a predetermined amount of yielding pressure I have provided the same with the spring member |23, the upper end of which is engaged to the arm member ||1 at |24 and the lower end of which is engaged to the tension collar member |25 at |26. The said collar member may be turned to the right for a predetermined distance to create sufcient tension on the coil spring member and thence held in fixed relation to the upright member |29 by means of the set screw member |21.

It has been found by actual practice that upon the lower corner 46 of the arm member |1 being introduced behind the leading corner of the flap 43 that the same tends to open up suiciently to cause this flap corner to pass under the flared arm member 52, thus upon this initial introductionof the ilap corner passing under this arm member the balance of the flap structure readily follows without diiculty, and thence as the envelope is fed forward the opened and flat flap member is caused to pass between the moistening roller member 45 and the upper surface of the small yielding thrust table member 54. The upward thrust of this small table member 54 may be set to a predetermined amount through its respective spring supporting and adjustment structure |28, the same comprising a U-shaped supporting bracket member |29 fastened to the table 1 by means of the screws |30. Threadedly engaged to the bracket member at |3| are bearing and guide members |32, the same having positioned therein the threaded thrust rod members |33, which in turn are threadedly engaged to the `underside of the small yielding table member 54 at |34. Each of the rod members is provided with the spring compression nut members |35 having set screws |36 for purposes of fixing the position of the said nuts when the proper pressure on the spring members |31 has been determined. For purposes of xedly adjusting the Very thin space between the upper surface of the table 54 and the moistening roller member 53 I have provided the adjustable nut members |38, the same being threaded to the lower ends of the respective rod members at |39. For purposes of fixing the position of the nut members I have provided the same with set screws |40. present drawings the moistening roller member is shown in contact with the upper surface of the yielding table member 54. In some instances this position of the said members may be very desirable for the -purpose of providing a feather touch between these parts. As the moistening roller is free to rotate about its axis this feather touch contact will not impede the progress of the flap therethrough as the same is sufficiently rigid to cause the roller member to rotate. with the present type of adjustable structure as shown a desired clearance of a few thousandths parts of an inch is readily possible for purposes of meeting certain conditions of flap moistening. It will be noted that the compression spring members |31 are substantially heavy, under certain conditions this may be desirable for maintaining ,the table member 54 at a substantially fixed position but yet with the possibilities of However In the Aeo yielding if necessary. However it should be fully understood that a very light type of spring member may be used at this point for purposes of allowing constant yielding of the table 54 upon the passing of a ap between the roller and table member.

Referring to Figure 6, the liquid supply tube |4| also functions as an axial support forv the moisture roller 45 as shown the far end of the same being closed by the threaded plug and flange or nut member |42. The same providing means together with the washer member |43 to retain the roller on the tube member |4|, this member in turn being carried in the bracket |44 and held in fixed relation thereto together with the iiange or plug member |42, by the fixed collar member |45 and its. set screw |46. That portion of the tube member within the roller body is provided with radiating openings |41 the same coming into registration with the openings |48 of the roller member as the same is caused to rotate by the frictional actionY of the envelope flap member as the same passes between the outer surface of the roller and the table surface |49. The outer ends of the roller openings |48 terminate in circumferential depressions that are segmental in character as indicated at |55. rIhese depressions are provided to prevent the openings |48 from becoming stopped up due to the possible accumulation of paste that may be picked up by the roller member 45, thus providing means whereby the openings for conveying liquid to the outer envelope flap contacting surface are positioned remotely therefrom with less chance of stoppage. Further the said depressions provide better distributing facilties for the liquid over the surface of the roller member that contacts the envelope ap member. A liquid reservoir |5|, having a control valve |52 and a hose member |53 connecting the same to the moisture roller tube member |4| is provided as shown.

It will be noted particularly from Figure 5, that the longitudinal envelope guide or wall member 5| is provided with means for the adjustment of the lsame in the form of screw members |54 positioned in slots |55 and threadedly engaged to the table 'l as shown, whereby the passage of the fed envelope may be properly determined in relation to the feed roller members. For purposes of convenience the electric motor member 9 may be provided with the starting and stopping switch member |56 together with the usual electric wiring connection |51.

It is fully understood that the various feed rollers with their respective shaft members together with their driving sprocket gear members may be properly engaged one with the other in fixed relation by set screws or the like as shown in a number of instances in the drawings.

I have thus described my invention in detail in order that the same may be fully understood as to structure and operation, however, the terms used herein are used in their descriptive sense only and not in a limiting manner, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A moistening apparatus, comprising a conveyor for envelopes having their aps in folded position, means for supporting the envelopes in upright position, means for unfolding the flaps comprising a yielding arm member having com- 2. A moistening apparatus, comprising a conv veyor for envelopes having means for retaining the same in upright position and means for introducing the envelopes to the apparatus with their flaps in folded position means for guiding the envelopes, opening the flaps thereof and introducing the same to means for moistening the same comprising a pivotally mounted spring actuated arm member.

3. A moistening apparatus, comprising a conveyor for envelopes having means for introducing the envelopes to the apparatus in upright position with their flaps in folded position, means for opening the flaps and guiding the same to a moistening device means for passing the same through the moistening device and means for refolding the moistened flaps to closed position, the said means for opening and guiding the flaps comprising an integral, swinging, spring actuated arm member having means in combination therewith for yieldingly guiding the lower portion of the upright envelopes at the time of the initial opening of their respective flap members.

4. A moistening apparatus comprising a conveyor for conveying envelopes therethrough in upright position with their respective Hap members in initially closed position, means for opening the flaps, guiding the lower portions of the envelopes and introducing the opened flaps into a moistening device for applying moisture to the opened flaps comprising a pivoted spring actuated arm member, means for folding one portion of the opened ap to closed position while another portion of the flap is being moistened.

5. A moistening apparatus comprising a conveyor for envelopes having their respective ap members in folded position, means for supporting the envelopes in upright position means for un'- folding the iiap members and introducing them to a moistening device and simultaneously yieldingly holding the lower portions of the respective uprightly conveyed envelopes said means comprising a simultaneously yielding arm structure, and means. in combination therewith for refolding the unfolded flap members.

6.*Amoistening apparatus comprising a conveyor for envelopes having their respective flap members in folded position, means for supporting rthe envelopes in upright position means for unfolding the flap members and introducing them to a moistening device and simultaneously yieldingly holding the lower portions of the respective uprightly conveyed envelopes said means comprising a simultaneously yielding arm structure, and means in combination therewith for refolding the unfolded flap members, the said moistening device comprising a yieldingly adjustable table structure and a rotatable moistening surface having recessed portions, means for introducing moisture to the said surface by way of and from the said recessed portions, and means for conveying moisture directly to the said recessed portions.

FITZALAN HOWARD MORRISON. 

